„Germany has donated vaccines and medical equipment to Vietnam on several occasions in 2021. With this new shipment of over 4 million doses of BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine via COVAX, Germany continues its ongoing support to Vietnam to fight and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. The continued high numbers of infections, as well as the Omikron variant spreading at a rapid pace worldwide, show that the pandemic is far from being defeated. In 2022, Germany will continue to show solidarity with Vietnam in the fight against the effects of the pandemic and provide further vaccines through the international vaccine platform COVAX. We can only defeat the pandemic if it is brought under control everywhere. Therefore, Germany and the European Union support the COVAX vaccine campaign for fair and transparent access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.

“We are grateful to the Government and people of Germany for sharing these life-saving vaccine doses with the Vietnamese people. Global solidarity, the generosity of Governments who have committed funding to COVAX and those Governments who are also donating vaccine – this is what is making the difference as we seek to ensure vaccines reach to every corner of this country and the world, equitably. The vaccines donated by the Government of Germany will help Vietnam in its effort to reach all, including with the booster doses. With the variant Omicron threatening to increase the number of those infected by COVID-19, the Ministry of Health is seeking to ensure that all benefit from a booster dose as soon as they are eligible, as this will reduce the severity of disease experienced, and protect hospitals from being overwhelmed. On behalf of UNICEF and WHO let me thank all the donors to COVAX for their ongoing support, and with Tet approaching, send an enormous message of gratitude, respect and best wishes to the health workers across Viet Nam who have worked tirelessly to ensure the safe delivery of vaccines and the special care of those infected.„